Interview with MG author T.X. Troan

Author T.X. Troan is chatting with me today about his middle-grade Sophia Freeman fantasy series.

cover for sophia freeman and the winter behemoth

During his virtual book tour, T.X. will be giving away a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn participant. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning feel free to visit his other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:
Thuan Doan is an award-winning author of the Sophia Freeman series. He conceived his first middle-grade fantasy novel, Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain, during a trip to Gabriola Island, British Columbia in the summer of 2013. Then he took his work and settled in a small town of Enderby, where it’s peaceful and quiet. 4 years later, the story was complete. While book one, two, three and four are being shared with the world, he’s writing and illustrating the last book of the series.

Thuan is writing under a pen name of T.X. Troan. “X” stands for Xu, his grandmother’s name who passed away. And “Troan” is a combination of his parents’ names.

“No matter how this turns out, I want my family to be a part of this wonderful journey.”

T.X. Troan married Sarah, his original fan and longtime love, in 2016. They live in Enderby with their pack dogs!

Welcome, T.X. Please tell us about your current release.
My latest release was the fourth book of the series, Sophia Freeman and the Winter Behemoth.

What inspired you to write this book?
Sophia Freeman and the Winter Behemoth is the fourth book of the Sophia Freeman series. The human versus nature theme has followed for many years. I have always wanted to write my own version of the story.

Excerpt from Sophia Freeman and the Winter Behemoth:
With most islanders in the water, a menacing laugh halted them.

“Going somewhere?” said Arbiter Scarlon, standing next to Bolrock, the monstrous boulder creature and dark guardian leader who almost killed Sophia when she first came to Pandilone Island. Iron-masked guards stood behind them.

“Scarlon, after what the island has given you—how could you betray us?” Arbiter Nulon snapped telepathically.

“In order for all of us to have a better future, we must make a change to this place,” Arbiter Scarlon pointed out. “I am just … speeding up the process.”

Tim clenched his fists and barked, “You just want more power for yourself!”

“We are such fools for trusting you.” Arbiter Nulon lowered her head.

“You are not the only fools here,” said Arbiter Scarlon, glaring at Allen. “Boy, I thought you were smarter than this. You could’ve had so much more, but instead you decided to leave with these pathetic weaklings.”

“I never wanted anything to do with you or the new era,” Allen revealed. “I only got close to you guys to destroy Tombermon.”

“He was just pretending this whole time?” Tim whispered, staring at Sophia.

She nodded with a grin.

Arbiter Nulon stepped past her guards. “Scarlon, you can have the island. We just want to leave in peace.”

“Ah, that is very generous of you,” he said sarcastically, waving his hand to command his army to surround them. “Unfortunately, no one is leaving this place.”

“Why not?” Sophia demanded, shifting into her attack position. “You already got what you were after.”

“The reason is very simple: to ensure a long-lasting new era, there must not be any kind of rebellion,” Arbiter Scarlon explained.

“You think we will return one day and take everything back?” Allen guessed.

“The risk is far too great,” Arbiter Scarlon continued. “But if you remain here, the chance of that happening is extremely low.”

“So, what you’re telling us is staying on the island is our only option?” Allen asked.

He sneered. “Well, it’s your only living option.”

“Enough with your nonsense!” Arbiter Nulon thrust out her hand and shards of ice appeared from her palm, forming an oversized sword. “BLIZZARD BLADE!” She flung her sword over fifteen feet, snow flying everywhere.

What exciting project are you working on next?
I am writing and illustrating the last book of the Sophia Freeman series. Can’t wait to share the big ending with you guys!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I considered myself a writer after my first novel, Sophia Freeman and the Mysterious Fountain, was published (to be honest, the process took years and I didn’t know if I was going to make it).

Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
Not yet. I am also a grader man at a cedar mill. I write, illustrate and promote in the morning/after work and on weekends.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I talk to myself all the time, pretending to be the characters in the story (attitude included)

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A storyteller.